Top 20 most memorable Olympic moments

A look back at the most iconic and memorable moments in the summer Olympics.

By by AMY ROLPH

on July 25, 2012 3:59 PM

Photo: Getty Images

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Rulon Gardner of the USA (left) won the gold medal for Greco-Roman wrestling in the Sydney 2000 Olympics, defeating Alexandre Kareline of Russia. Kareline was previously undefeated for 13 years, and Gardner grew up on a Wyoming dairy farm. less

Rulon Gardner of the USA (left) won the gold medal for Greco-Roman wrestling in the Sydney 2000 Olympics, defeating Alexandre Kareline of Russia. Kareline was previously undefeated for 13 years, and Gardner ... more

Photo: Billy Stickland, Getty Images

Rulon Gardner of the USA (left) won the gold medal for Greco-Roman... Photo-3238676.46521 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Michael Johnson was quite literally called "the man with the golden
shoes" when he won two medals for sprinting at the Atlanta Olympics in
1996.

Michael Johnson was quite literally called "the man with the golden
shoes" when he won two medals for sprinting at the Atlanta Olympics in
1996.

Ethiopian athlete Abebe Bikila ran barefoot for victory in the Rome 1960 Olympic Games marathon. Bikila couldn't find shoes that fit well, so he opted to run barefoot. Luckily, that was how he trained.

Ethiopian athlete Abebe Bikila ran barefoot for victory in the Rome 1960 Olympic Games marathon. Bikila couldn't find shoes that fit well, so he opted to run barefoot. Luckily, that was how he trained.

Jamaican athlete Usain Bolt charmed the world when he won gold in the men's 100-meter final in Beijing in 2008.

Jamaican athlete Usain Bolt charmed the world when he won gold in the men's 100-meter final in Beijing in 2008.

Photo: AFP, Getty Images

Jamaican athlete Usain Bolt charmed the world when he won gold in... Photo-3238672.46521 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Czech gymnast Vera Caslavska (center), shown here at the 1964 at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, had a moment of political protest during the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City when she tied for gold in the floor exercise. In a display of disregard for Soviet invasion, she turned her head down
and away when the Soviet anthem played. less

Czech gymnast Vera Caslavska (center), shown here at the 1964 at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, had a moment of political protest during the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City when she tied for gold in the floor ... more

During the 1972 Olympics, the USA basketball team lost to Russia 51-50 -- after Russia was given extra time for a final shot. It was the first Olympic loss in USA Basketball history, and served as an illustration of tension between the countries. less

During the 1972 Olympics, the USA basketball team lost to Russia 51-50 -- after Russia was given extra time for a final shot. It was the first Olympic loss in USA Basketball history, and served as an ... more

Photo: Getty Images

During the 1972 Olympics, t he USA basketball team lost to Russia... Photo-3238659.46521 - Beaumont Enterprise

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American sprinter and athlete Jesse Owens, who won four gold medals for running and field events in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. It was an especially powerful moment because Adolf Hitler wanted to prove his Aryan ideals during the games. less

American sprinter and athlete Jesse Owens, who won four gold medals for running and field events in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. It was an especially powerful moment because Adolf Hitler wanted to prove his Aryan ... more

Photo: Hulton Archive, Getty Images

American sprinter and athlete Jesse Owens, who won four gold medals... Photo-3238664.46521 - Beaumont Enterprise

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The U.S. boycotted the Moscow Olympics of 1980, making a statement against Soviet war in Afghanistan. In return the Soviet Union boycotted the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. (This photo shows the U.S. Olympic hockey team beating the Soviet Union in a 1980 Winter Games semifinal, one of the biggest sports upsets in history.) less

The U.S. boycotted the Moscow Olympics of 1980, making a statement against Soviet war in Afghanistan. In return the Soviet Union boycotted the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. (This photo shows the U.S. Olympic ... more

Photo: Steve Powell, Getty Images

The U.S. boycotted the Moscow Olympics of 1980, making a statement... Photo-3238663.46521 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Mary Lou Retton was an unknown at the start of the 1984 Olympics, but she ended up winning the all-around gold after earning perfect 10s for the floor and vault competitions. Retton was just 16 at the time.

Mary Lou Retton was an unknown at the start of the 1984 Olympics, but she ended up winning the all-around gold after earning perfect 10s for the floor and vault competitions. Retton was just 16 at the time.

Photo: Steve Powell, Getty Images

Mary Lou Retton was an unknown at the start of the 1984 Olympics,... Photo-3238671.46521 - Beaumont Enterprise

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The games continued in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, despite the detonation of a bomb at the AT&T Pavillion in Centennial Olympic Park.

The games continued in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, despite the detonation of a bomb at the AT&T Pavillion in Centennial Olympic Park.

Photo: Gray Mortimore, Getty Images

The games continued in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, despite the... Photo-3238668.46521 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Here, American swimming champion Mark Spitz is pictured in action during the Olympic 200-meter butterfly final event on Aug. 31, 1972 in Munich. Spitz captured seven swimming gold medals during those games , setting a new record. less

Here, American swimming champion Mark Spitz is pictured in action during the Olympic 200-meter butterfly final event on Aug. 31, 1972 in Munich. Spitz captured seven swimming gold medals during those games , ... more

Two-time Los Angeles gold medalist Greg Louganis of the U.S. banged his head against the board after mistiming his dive during an Olympic competition in 1988 in Seoul. Louganis nonetheless qualified for the final.

Two-time Los Angeles gold medalist Greg Louganis of the U.S. banged his head against the board after mistiming his dive during an Olympic competition in 1988 in Seoul. Louganis nonetheless qualified for the

USA athletes Tommie Smith (center) and John Carlos (right) raised their gloved fists in the Black Power salute to express their opposition to racism in the USA during the US national anthem. They had just received their medals for first and third place in the men's 200-meter event at the 1968 Mexico Olympic Games. At left is Peter Norman of Australia, who took second place. less

USA athletes Tommie Smith (center) and John Carlos (right) raised their gloved fists in the Black Power salute to express their opposition to racism in the USA during the US national anthem. They had just ... more

This photo shows Romanian Olympic gymnastics champion Nadia Comaneci celebrating as the scoreboard attempts to show her perfect score of 10 during the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal. Comeneci was the first to earn the honor after her acrobatic compulsory at uneven bars, and the scoreboard wasn't able to show the number 10. less

This photo shows Romanian Olympic gymnastics champion Nadia Comaneci celebrating as the scoreboard attempts to show her perfect score of 10 during the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal. Comeneci was the first to ... more

Michael Phelps' eight medals were partly due to teamwork. This underwater photograph shows Phelps (left) touching the blocks just as final swimmer Jason Lezak dove into the pool during the men's 4x100m medley relay swimming final. Phelps credited his record at the 2008 Olympics to Lezak, who started out behind in the relay. "(Lezak's) last 50 meters were absolutely incredible," Phelps told ESPN. less

Michael Phelps' eight medals were partly due to teamwork. This underwater photograph shows Phelps (left) touching the blocks just as final swimmer Jason Lezak dove into the pool during the men's 4x100m medley ... more

Derek Redmond of Great Britain was helped towards the finish line by his father Jim Redmond at the 1992 Barcelona Games. Redmond suffered a torn hamstring in the 400-meter semifinal and had to leave the track.

Derek Redmond of Great Britain was helped towards the finish line by his father Jim Redmond at the 1992 Barcelona Games. Redmond suffered a torn hamstring in the 400-meter semifinal and had to leave the track.

Kerri Strug of the USA injured her ankle in the vault during her routine at the Georgia Dome in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. She continued in the competition, helping her team win its first gold medal.

Kerri Strug of the USA injured her ankle in the vault during her routine at the Georgia Dome in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. She continued in the competition, helping her team win its first gold medal.

Photo: Mike Powell, Getty Images

Kerri Strug of the USA injured her ankle in the vault during her... Photo-3238655.46521 - Beaumont Enterprise